Obituaries for Dec. 9, 2011

By Baker City Herald December 09, 2011 05:23 pm

Norman Masterson
Norman Dean Masterson, 86, of La Grande, died Dec. 6, 2011, at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise.
There will be a celebration of his life at 10 a.m. Saturday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, at 1502 Seventh St. in La Grande. His graveside service at 2 p.m. Saturday at Eagle Valley Cemetery in Richland.
Mr. Masterson was born on March 9, 1925, to Herbert and Edna Sullivan
Masterson at Richland. He graduated from Eagle Valley High School at
Richland and was drafted into the U.S. Army.
After his honorable discharge, he returned to Oregon. He and Marjorie Hunt were married on June 5, 1949.
He attended Eastern Oregon University at La Grande and later Oregon
State University at Corvallis where he majored in fish and game.
He and Marjorie worked on Government Island, Sauvee Island and South
Twin Lake before he returned to college to get his education
degree. The couple moved to La Grande in 1956 where he began his career
at La Grande High School, retiring in 1983.
He was a member of the Isaac Walton League and the Save the Minam
Organization as well as the Union County Retired Educators. He was an
avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, fly tying, gardening,
backpacking and boating. He also enjoyed his orchard.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie Masterson of La Grande; sons, Glen
Masterson of Gilbert, Ariz., and Mark Masterson of La Grande; two
grandchildren and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death
by his brother, Iver Masterson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the EOU Foundation to be used for an educational scholarship,through Daniels-Knopp.

Wendell Rush
Wendell Rush, 74, of Baker City, died December 2, 2011, at St. Alphonsus Medical Center-Baker.
As per Wendell’s wishes, there will be no services.
Wendell Neil Rush was born on Feb. 15, 1937, in Wheeler, Texas, to
Frank L. Rush and Cleo Williams Rush. The family moved to Vale when he
was a toddler. He later graduated from Fruitland High School in 1955.
After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy. His working career consisted
of Oregon Portland Cement and the U.S. Forest Service, where he worked
until retiring in 1994.
For many years Wendell volunteered with the Baker Little League and
Babe Ruth Baseball. He always enjoyed talking about all the kids he
coached throughout the years. He assisted putting up the flags for the
Avenue of Flags on Memorial Day at Mount Hope Cemetery. Wendell was a
member and past Exalted Ruler of the Elks, member and past Commander of
Veterans of Foreign Wars, and member and past President of the
Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with friends
and family.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Cleo Wilsey, and Frank and June Rush.
Wendell is survived by his brothers: Glenn Rush and his wife, Suann, of
Baker City, and Don Rush of St. Joseph, Mo.; his sisters: Debbie Rush
of Denver, and JoAnn Rush and her husband, Don Kent, of Eugene;
nephews: Michael G. Rush and family of Baker City, Chris Rush and his
wife, Jessica, of Atchison, Kan., Brandon Curry and his wife, Megan,
and family of Baker City; nieces: Shellie Rush of St. Joseph, Mo., and
Summer Curry of Haines.
Those who wish to make a memorial donation in memory of Wendell may do
so to the Baker Little League Association through Tami’s Pine Valley
Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, OR 97834.